Having serious problems with my wheels - how do you keep your WRX my03 wheels clean?

Car shampoo, sponge and hard work doesn't shift the greasy stains that seems to appear or shift stubborn brake dust.

A [pots & pans] non-stick pad seems to take off the grey finish - even though on previous cars I've never had an issue - are the wheels lacquered properly?

A friend suggested Wonder Wheels but another said this will knacker the grey finish.

Any suggestions please?

 

To be honest ive never really had that much of a problem, and my wheels have been pretty black before now!! (i also have an 03 WRX)

I keep them pretty clean by using a pressure washer to get the worst off/loosen the bad stuff, then get to it properly with a glove sponge, they came up really well last week. Although theyre getting grimey again now!

So in my experience you dont really need any special cleaners or anything, although potentially simple things like fairy liquid might help!! (especially if you used it before the presure washer...)

I think i might try that next time.....

Neil.

(Hope the cars going well for you!)

 

just use a pressure wash

 

Just make sure if you do use a pressure wash, wipe it down with a sponge afterwards......pressure washers are great for just spreading dirt around!

 

I have found car shampoo just pushes the grease around, The best thing I have found is to give the wheels a good clean with water with washing up liquid in it, It gets the greasy rubbish and brake dust off then do the wheels with car shampoo when you have finished the car.

 

Once clean, put some polish on them Makes cleaning them much easier.

 

I use standard wheel cleaner from Halfords on my 03, spray it on leave for a couple of mins then use a brush and shampoo.....perfect.

Mark

 

Regular polishing is the key I do 700 miles a week and get plenty of muck and brake dust on the fronts and it always washes of no problem.

Regards

John

 

Yep I polished mine last week, for the first time, and they so shiny, I only needed to give then a quick wipe today..

 

Wonder wheels from Halfords,
brush it on,wash it off.
Removes even old brake dust.

 

Got to agree with the polishing tip. I do about 750 - 1000 miles a week in my 03, wheels need just a wipe in the middle of the week and a good wash at the w/end to keep spotless.

Thinking of getting PPP pack sorted, any of you other 03 owners got any views on this ?

Thanks.

 

Ordered my PPP 4 weeks ago and still waiting. Started a thread on this today.

Opinion is that it's well-worth the wait. Shopped around and got the SIDC 10% discount; maybe that's why I'm still waiting for it ;-)

 

Wonder Wheels is ok on them, used it many times on my MY03 with standard wheels no problem.

also use pressure washer.

 

I use Autoglym Motorcycle wash once a month as well as cleaning them weekly as normal.

Autoglym is cheap, and I think not as corrosive.

Jet wash is a big help

 

jmk, you need to get yourself some wonder wheels or somesuch first, give them a really good all over/inside out clean.
Then, wash down with car shampoo,then wax, with a wax of your choice, all over(again, even on the inside)
then polish up, put back on the car (important that bit) and next time you come to wash them, the tar, dust and cr*p will just fall off, no probs,
like these:

These are 4 year old wheels, not bad eh? just done as above today.
chris.
ps, new bolts are on there way!


[Edited by cw42 - 8/29/2003 10:37:01 PM]

 

I use a very small amount of autosol on clean wheels to wipe them over (MY03 standards). It seems to make keeping them clean much easier and doesnt take much time/effort.

With regard to the PPP, I had mine fitted about 3k miles ago. Definately worth getting although the exhaust could do with being a bit louder!

[Edited by Beefy - 8/29/2003 10:42:08 PM]

 

Your exhaust is loud beefy, just don't get behind me!!
chris

 

Finish on scoob wheels isnt too **** from factory hot ive lacquered a few sets for freinds from new when they`ve seen mine after a light wash!!!
Just scotchbrite em down then relacquer.Now they only need to get a bit of pressure from water and they blow clean -polishing them is just as good just do it v.often (esp in winter)Bit daft but how much does it cost in time and money to polish 4 wheels??And how much does it cost to refurbish? more money to spend on optimax methinks...

G

 

Wonder Wheels worked a treat; the grey effected lacquer didn't come off (thank god). I've polish them next time the car's washed.

One thing you should note is that if you get Wonder Wheels on your break callipers, the paint / coating on the calliper will be dissolved and become discoloured - I know; it's just happened. Oh well; live and learn :-)

 

Autoglym wheel cleaner also takes the coating off the calipers. Will a coat of hammerite be OK to repaint, is that what is on the one above in red?

Andy.

 

Hammerite is certainly ok to use

 

A coating of diamondbrite on clean wheels makes the a damn sight easier to clean the next time as the brake dust and general road grime cant get into the paintwork.